Migrants Endure Prolonged Detention Amid Unsanitary U.S. Conditions
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MIAMI — Officials and human rights groups report that migrants have endured unsanitary, overcrowded conditions and prolonged detention across U.S. holding facilities. Asylum-seeker Felipe Hernandez Espinosa said he spent 45 days at "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida and has spent months at a Fort Bliss facility in El Paso where two migrants died in January. Reports cite worms in food, overflowing sewage, nonfunctional toilets and insect infestations. New immigration guidance limiting judges' authority and backlog in immigration courts has increased detention durations while hearings proceed. Detainees report being denied voluntary return until judicial review. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Policy changes during the current administration limited immigration judges' authority to release detainees.
- Detainees reported unsanitary conditions at a Florida holding site nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz."
- Two migrants died at a Fort Bliss detention facility in January, reported by human-rights groups.
- Asylum-seeker Felipe Hernandez Espinosa reported 45 days at the Florida center and months at Fort Bliss; his hearing was scheduled for Feb. 26.
- AP-sourced articles across multiple outlets published accounts and linked procedural backlogs to prolonged detention.
- Articles Published:
- 6
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 5
- Distribution:
- Left 17%, Center 83%, Right 0%
Federal contractors and agencies operating detention facilities continued receiving government payments while courts processed asylum cases, maintaining operational revenue despite reported conditions.
Asylum-seekers detained at Alligator Alcatraz and Fort Bliss endured unsanitary conditions, prolonged confinement, and delayed legal resolution, with at least two migrants dying at the Fort Bliss site in January.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
Migrants languish in U.S. detention centers facing dire conditions and prolonged waits
Los Angeles TimesFrom Center
Migrants Endure Prolonged Detention Amid Unsanitary U.S. Conditions
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer KTAR News Chico Enterprise-Record 7 News Miami PBS.orgFrom Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
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